severely
Americanadverb
-
in a very stern, strict, or harsh way.
One day he was caught taking a few pieces of scrap wood and was severely punished with two weeks of hard labor.
-
to a grave, far-reaching, or critical degree; seriously.
Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and medications on their own.
-
in a very simple, plain, or austere style or manner.
She wore her hair severely tied back in a ponytail and refused to wear anything feminine.
-
in a very challenging or exacting way that is difficult to endure.
The Great Depression severely tested the parish, as the church building was almost lost to creditors.
-
to a distressing or highly uncomfortable degree.
Much of North America experiences periods of severely cold weather and is susceptible to snow and ice storms.
Other Word Forms
- overseverely adverb
- superseverely adverb
- unseverely adverb
Etymology
Origin of severely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her chemotherapy and treatment for the infection left her organs severely weakened.
From BBC
Several Latino-run businesses will be closed Friday to show solidarity with those throughout the country who have been severely affected by the actions of ICE.
From Los Angeles Times
"You can poke big holes in them, and we showed that even if you severely damage the tubes with as many holes as you can punch, they still float."
From Science Daily
The city has been sued before over shelter dogs that severely injured people after their bite histories allegedly were not disclosed.
From Los Angeles Times
However, at the moment, “any benefit from rising customer numbers and seat capacity growth is being severely restrained,” he adds.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
